1. careful to avoid potential problems or dangers
謹慎的，小心的，以避免潛在的問題或危險
She is very cautious when crossing the street.
她過馬路時非常小心。
Investors are being cautious with their money in the current economy.
在當前的經濟環境下，投資者對他們的資金持謹慎態度。
Cautious Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
cautious
adjective
快速理解
What does "Cautious" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Cautious"?
形容行事前仔細考慮風險，以避免危險或錯誤。
- 1
小心謹慎
EN: careful to avoid potential problems or dangers
翻譯: 為避免潛在問題或危險而非常小心。
- 2
審慎行事
EN: acting with careful thought before taking action
翻譯: 在採取行動前經過深思熟慮。
- 3
不輕易冒險
EN: not taking unnecessary risks
翻譯: 不承擔不必要的風險。
- 4
有所保留
EN: showing a lack of complete trust or willingness
翻譯: 表現出不完全信任或不願完全投入的態度。
小提醒：注意 'cautious' 強調的是因擔心負面後果而『刻意避免風險』，而不僅是普通的『小心』。
發音（How to Pronounce "Cautious" in English）
How to pronounce "Cautious" in English?"Cautious" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Cautious" from YouTube Videos
Kary Mullis: Celebrating the scientific experiment
TED
“And if you start a grant request with something like that and say global warming obviously hadn't happened, if they --, if they -- if they actually -- if they actually said that I'm getting out- (Laughter), I'll stand up too and -- (Laughter), (Applause)- They have to say that They had to be very cautious.”
(1 out of 2)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Cautious"?How does "Cautious" change by context?
2. showing or characterized by careful thought and a lack of haste
表現出或具有深思熟慮、不倉促的特點
He took a cautious approach to the new business proposal.
他對這項新的商業提案採取了謹慎的態度。
The government made a cautious statement about the policy change.
政府對政策變動發表了一份措辭謹慎的聲明。
3. reluctant to take risks; tending to avoid uncertainty
不願承擔風險；傾向於避免不確定性
The company has a cautious culture that discourages innovation.
這家公司有一種不鼓勵創新的謹慎文化。
After the accident, she became a much more cautious driver.
那次事故之後，她開車變得謹慎多了。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Cautious"?How to make natural sentences with "Cautious"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| be cautious | 謹慎的；小心的 | He is always cautious when making investments. (他在做投資時總是很謹慎。) |
| be cautious about + noun/V-ing | 對…很謹慎 | She is cautious about sharing personal information online. (她對於在網上分享個人資訊很謹慎。) |
| be cautious of + noun | 提防…；對…保持警惕 | Tourists are advised to be cautious of pickpockets in crowded areas. (建議遊客在擁擠的地方提防扒手。) |
| a cautious approach/attitude | 謹慎的態度/方法 | The company is taking a cautious approach to the new market. (該公司對新市場採取謹慎的態度。) |
| overly/too cautious | 過於謹慎 | His overly cautious nature sometimes prevents him from seizing opportunities. (他過於謹慎的性格有時會讓他錯失良機。) |
| cautiously optimistic | 審慎樂觀 | The manager is cautiously optimistic about the project's success. (經理對專案的成功抱持審慎樂觀的態度。) |
| exercise caution | 保持謹慎；小心行事 | Drivers should exercise caution on icy roads. (駕駛在結冰的路面上應小心行事。) |
用法說明
How is "Cautious" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Cautious"?
cautious about doing vs cautious to do
- cautious about doing 強調對某個特定行為或活動本身持謹慎態度，通常表示對該行為可能帶來的風險或後果有所顧慮。
- cautious to do 則較為少見，通常用於描述在採取某個具體行動時表現出的謹慎，有時帶有「為了避免…而小心地…」的意味，語氣上可能更正式或書面化。
- 在大多數日常情境中，cautious about (doing) 是更自然、更常見的用法。
- 注意：cautious of doing 的用法也存在，但更常與「be cautious of + 名詞」結構連用，表示「對…（事物）保持警惕」。 EN: She is cautious about investing in new startups. 翻譯: 她對於投資新創公司非常謹慎。
EN:The company was cautious to make any promises before the review was complete.
翻譯:該公司在審查完成前，謹慎地避免做出任何承諾。
總結建議
一般情況下，使用 cautious about doing 來表達對某行為持謹慎態度最為穩妥且自然。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Cautious" and similar words?How to choose "Cautious" vs alternatives?
cautious vs careful
「cautious」強調對潛在危險或風險的預先警覺與防範，態度較為保守；「careful」則泛指做事細心、周全，避免錯誤。
cautious vs wary
「cautious」是廣泛的謹慎態度；「wary」則特指因不信任或懷疑特定事物而產生的警覺。
cautious vs prudent
「cautious」側重避免危險；「prudent」則強調基於智慧與經驗的審慎判斷，以謀求最佳利益。
口語用法
How is "Cautious" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Cautious"?
引述
在轉述他人的意見或建議時，常用來表示這不是說話者自己的直接主張，而是出於謹慎的考量。 EN: My doctor was cautious about me starting high-impact exercises right away. 翻譯: 我的醫生對於我馬上開始高衝擊運動持謹慎態度。
EN:She's being cautious and suggested we wait for more data before deciding.
翻譯:她比較謹慎，建議我們等更多資料再決定。
語氣強調
與程度副詞連用，以加強或緩和「謹慎」的語氣，表達不同程度的細心或擔憂。 EN: You need to be extremely cautious when dealing with confidential information. 翻譯: 處理機密資訊時，你需要極度謹慎。
EN:I'm just being a little cautious because I've been burned before.
翻譯:我只是有點謹慎，因為我以前吃過虧。
停頓填充
在組織思緒或尋找合適詞語時，用作口語中的填充語，引導出後續的解釋或理由。 EN: I'm cautious... let's say I prefer to read the contract thoroughly first. 翻譯: 我比較謹慎…這麼說吧，我傾向先徹底讀完合約。
EN:We should be cautious — you know, it's better to be safe than sorry.
翻譯:我們應該謹慎一點 — 你知道的，安全總比後悔好。
正式寫作注意：在學術或正式商業寫作中，應避免將「cautious」用於上述口語的停頓填充情境。建議使用更直接、結構完整的句子，例如「A cautious approach is advisable due to...」或「It is prudent to...」，以保持文章的嚴謹與流暢度。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Cautious"?What fixed phrases with "Cautious" should I remember?
be cautious of
be cautious of [noun/gerund]
對...保持警惕；小心提防
cautious approach
[article/possessive] cautious approach
謹慎的態度/方法
cautious optimism
[feel/have/with] cautious optimism
審慎樂觀
err on the side of caution
err on the side of caution
寧可過於謹慎；寧枉勿縱
cautious by nature
be cautious by nature
天性謹慎
exercise cautious
exercise [great/extreme] cautious
行使/保持謹慎
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Cautious"?Which "Cautious" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×He is a cautious driver, so he drives very fast.
✓He is a cautious driver, so he drives very carefully.
The meaning of 'cautious' is opposite to 'fast'. 'Cautious' implies carefulness and slowness to avoid danger, not speed.
×Be cautious to not make noise.
✓Be cautious not to make noise.
The correct pattern after 'cautious' is 'cautious not to + verb' or 'cautious about + noun/gerund'. 'Cautious to not' is grammatically incorrect.
×He is a cautious person. He always takes risks.
✓He is a cautious person. He always avoids risks.
A 'cautious' person is characterized by avoiding risks and danger. Taking risks is the opposite behavior.
×She is cautious of the dog.
✓She is cautious around the dog. / She is wary of the dog.
'Cautious' is typically used with 'about', 'of', or 'in'. However, 'cautious of' is less common and can sound unnatural. 'Wary of' is a more natural collocation for direct suspicion or fear. For general careful behavior, 'cautious around' or 'cautious with' is better.
×The government took a cautious action.
✓The government took cautious action. / The government's action was cautious.
'Cautious' as an adjective usually modifies uncountable nouns like 'approach', 'optimism', or 'action' without an article 'a'. Using 'a' suggests 'action' is countable, which clashes with the typical usage of 'cautious action' as a general concept.
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Cautious"?What are tense/participle forms of "Cautious"?